G. A. C. A
GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF CHURCHES ASSOCIATION
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There is no doubt that there was female leadership in the New Testament church, and there is no reason to question the influence of the women whose names are associated with some of the earliest congregations.
For most of the Church’s history, in most Christian denominations and movements, women have been denied the privilege of serving as leaders. This prohibition is due to the understanding of just one or two verses in the New Testament which do not seem to allow women to have a ministry which involves public speaking (1 Cor. 14:34), or which involves teaching a man (1Tim. 2:12).
There are however, several women mentioned in the New Testament who did function as church leaders. Even though these women are mentioned briefly, they do serve as valid Biblical precedents which call into question the widespread teachings that the church leaders can only be males.
“It is well known that the early church attracted an unusual number of high status women and sometimes these women, who would have lived in relatively spacious homes, hosted a congregation that met in their home.
As a prominent member of the congregation, the host would have functioned as a leader employing a ministry gift – most probably the pastor or teacher gift.
The following women are all church leaders mentioned in the New Testament: Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9), Priscilla (Acts 18: 26; Rom. 16: 3-5); Phoebe (Rom. 16:1-2), “the elect lady” (2 John 1), “the chosen sister” (2 John 13), Euodia and Syntyche (Phi. 4:2-3), and Lydia (Acts 16:40).
GACA therefore recognizes the women ministry as authentic. Those whom God has called into the ministry are duly ordained and or consecrated